Hello Friends of Shelldale Family Gateway, and much happiness and health to you and your families!
All of us here at Shelldale Family Gateway want you to know we are very busy! We have projects in place for youth and community that are far outpacing our resources. We have extra workloads in EarlyON as required by the County of Wellington that are stretching us thin. If ever you’ve considered donating to Shelldale Family Gateway, now would be the time!
Here’s what we’re doing and why we need your help!
- Youth and Community staff have their hands full: we have prepared over 400 Discovery Bags, which contain activities, snacks and assorted items for all children aged 6-16. This has taken an incredible amount of work on behalf of our 2.5 staff who remain in this program. Without your help, we may have to reduce our staffing level even further and this will impact how much support we can provide for the community at large. Even with the government wage subsidy, we still need over $5,000 per month to pay for costs associated with Youth & Community program as it is now. Any amount you can help with will go directly to Youth: no additional admin fees, just strictly wages for our reduced staff. (pictured above is Dana Nuttley, Community member, President of our Board and dedicated Volunteer ready to deliver Discovery Bags)
- EarlyON staff are being fully supported by the County of Wellington. We are extremely fortunate to have been able to keep most of our EarlyON staff on the payroll, however, their case load grows every day! Now, in addition to providing virtual groups for play dates, and connecting with and supporting families one on one, these amazing staff are also being recruited by the County to work with new moms who may be struggling. It is recognition of the amazing staff we have and the work that they do in our community!
Please consider giving generously to Shelldale Family Gateway (https://shelldale.ca/donate/) in the days and weeks ahead. It is only through donations from the community at large that we can continue the outstanding work being done by Youth & Community in our neighbourhood.
Stay safe and well –
Diana Boal
Executive Director
Shelldale Family Gateway
